Greenville’s downtown continues to buck national trends with positive development growth continuing at a healthy pace. Windsor Aughtry Company recently broke ground on a new Marriott Hotel as part of a project at the corner of Broad and Main Streets. In addition to the hotel, the project includes office, retail and restaurant space with an anticipated delivery of mid-2009. Another planned downtown hotel, the Peacock Hotel and Spa, is currently delayed due to financing issues. The high-end boutique hotel and spa, which broke ground in early 2008 and halted construction this spring, is reportedly planning to resume activity in early 2009.

Also in the central business district, TIC Properties has announced plans to soon begin work on its much awaited Main Street development on the site of the former Woolworth’s department store. Located on 2 prime acres along Main Street, the mixed-use project is expected to include office, retail, restaurant and residential space. Encompassing the majority of a city block, the project is expected to transform one of the last significant parcels in the heart of the city center that has yet to be developed.

Magnolia Park Town Center, which will feature tenants such as the Cheesecake Factory, Apple, Z Gallerie, IMAX, and Trader Joes will start construction at the end of this year or beginning of next year. 375,000 square feet of office space, 180,000 square feet of residential space, 485,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space, and a 70,000 square foot hotel. Rendering:

Perceptis has announced that they will be moving their corporate headquarters from Cleveland, Ohio to downtown Greenville. They will also be installing a new call center downtown that will employ 200 people. More info here: http://www.journalwatchdog.com/busin...8-aid-apparent